Columbus North graduate and Miami (Ohio) redshirt junior David Redding (64) looks to make a block against LIU.
Submitted photo
Football has been a big part of David Redding’s life the past nine years, but he doesn’t think he’ll get too emotional Thursday when he plays the final game of his college career.
As he has all season, the Columbus North graduate will line up at right guard for Miami (Ohio) when the RedHawks face North Texas in the Frisco Football Classic. The bowl game will be televised by ESPN at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
“It hasn’t been emotional. I’ve played every game this season like it might be my last. I’m just focused on playing one last game with my friends. “I don’t think it will hit me just because I have other stuff to look forward to.”
Redding, who is in his fifth year at Miami, graduated in May with a degree in mechanical engineering. He currently is in graduate school for mechanical engineering and plans to do a teaching assistantship through the university next year.
Although the NCAA granted athletes an extra year of eligibility because of COVID-abbreviated schedules last year, and Redding is listed as a redshirt-junior, he has decided against playing another year.
“Just not knowing how my body would hold up for another year, and wanting to put more time into academics than athletics, I decided it was best to move on,” Redding said.
After playing only three games last fall, the RedHawks have played a full schedule this year. Redding has started all 12 games at left guard.
“Having a true freshman (Reid Holskey) at right tackle with me, I was making sure I was helping him out, teaching him how to play college football,” Redding said.
Miami went 6-6 during the regular season. It opened the season with a 49-14 loss at a Cincinnati team that will be playing in the College Football Playoff semifinals New Year’s Eve.
The RedHawks lost three Mid-American Conference games, all on the road, by a combined total of four points. That prevented them from playing in the MAC Championship game.
“We came up a little short in those three games vs. Eastern (Michigan), Ohio and Kent State,” Redding said. “It’s definitely not the outcome we wanted. We wanted to finish off in Detroit. But starting off 1-3, the team came together and put forth a great effort the entire season.’
The team leaves Sunday for Dallas. Redding is glad to have been able to have a full season this year and end it playing in a bowl game.
“It’s been really great,” Redding said. “I’m definitely focusing in on enjoying every moment and playing together with my teammates. It’s fun. We’re just all out here practicing to play one last game with these guys that aren’t coming back.”
Looking back on the past five years as he approaches his final game, Redding is happy with the career he has enjoyed at Miami.
“I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Redding said. “Miami has helped me develop both as a football player and off the field. Definitely the relationships I’ve created these past five years will carry with me long after I leave campus.”
